Swimwear and method of customising swimwear

ABSTRACT

An article of clothing for use as swimwear comprising: an outer layer configured to display an artwork; an inner layer configured to obscure light, wherein the outer layer and inner layer are oriented in a manner to enhance appearance of the artwork on the outer layer and wherein the outer layer is made of fabric adapted to display the artwork wherein the artwork is drawn on the outer layer by a user.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to swimwear and in particular toswimwear which enables a user to customise external design of theswimwear.

BACKGROUND

Swimwear is a type of clothing worn by users while performing watersports such as swimming, surfing, diving etc. The swimwear has beendesigned primarily for use in water so as to prevent them from anyinjury, protect the skin from sun burn while performing the aforesaidwater sports. However, recently the designing of swimwear has beencarried out by keeping in mind aesthetic appeal the same as well.

These days, users buy swimwear not only based on their functionalcharacteristics, but also based on their external design to make afashion statement. There have been a number of solutions are provided tosuffice the user's evolving demands towards fashionable swimwear such asself-print fabrics where user can get print anything on their swimwear,multi-colour reflector surface, reversible swimwear etc.

Although the above-mentioned solutions and other existing techniquesstrive to provide customisable swimwear to satisfy the needs of users,they still have a number of limitations and shortcomings for example,the time taken to design, print and manufacture a custom made design.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise,the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood toimply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps orelements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group ofsteps or elements.

Any one of the terms: “including” or “which includes” or “that includes”as used herein is also an open term that also means including at leastthe elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others.

Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification shouldin no way be considered as an admission that such background art isprior art nor that such background art is widely known or forms part ofthe common general knowledge in the field in Australia or worldwide.

SUMMARY

According to an aspect of the invention there is provided swimwear. Theswimwear comprises an outer layer configured to display an artwork, aninner layer configured to obscure light. Further, the outer layer andinner layer are oriented in a manner to enhance appearance of theartwork on the outer layer.

The outer layer is made of fabric adapted to display the artwork.Preferably, the outer layer is of white colour.

The artwork is drawn on the outer layer by a user by using a marker.Preferably, the artwork is, but not limited to, an image, a character.Further, the marker is made of, but not limited to, non-toxic material.Also, the marker is made of a material which ensures permanency of thedrawing on the outer layer of the swimwear.

The inner layer is made of fabric which obscures light from passingthrough the inner layer. Preferably, the inner layer is in the form of,but not limited to, a lining and is of black colour.

It is an advantage of the invention that there is offered flexibility tothe users to customise his/her swimwear according to his/her choice ofartwork. Further, the marker enables the user to draw the artworkeasily. Also, the pre-determined orientation of the outer layer and theinner layer of the swimwear displays the artwork appropriately withenhanced appearance.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof customising swimwear. The method comprising the steps of providingthe swimwear having an outer layer and an inner layer, drawing anartwork on the outer layer of the swimwear. In a less preferredembodiment the method includes heating the outer layer of the swimwearto dry and affix the artwork on the outer layer of the swimwear.

The step of providing comprising a step of arranging the outer layer andthe inner layer of the swimwear in a predetermined orientation toenhance appearance of the artwork on the outer layer of the swimwear.

Preferably, the outer layer is made of fabric adapted to display theartwork and the outer layer is of white colour.

Preferably, the inner layer is made of fabric which obscure light frompassing through the inner layer. Further, the inner layer is in the formof a lining and is of black colour.

The step of drawing comprising a step of providing a marker to a user,enabling the user to draw the artwork on the outer layer of theswimwear. Preferably, the marker is made of, but not limited to,non-toxic material and the artwork is, but not limited to, an image, acharacter.

The step of heating comprising a step of ironing the outer layer of theswimwear to dry and affix the artwork on the outer layer of theswimwear.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided aswimwear comprising: an outer layer configured to display an artwork; aninner layer configured to obscure light; wherein the outer layer andinner layer are oriented in a manner to enhance appearance of theartwork on the outer layer and wherein the outer layer is made of fabricadapted to display the artwork wherein the artwork is drawn on the outerlayer by a user.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a methodof customising swimwear, the method comprising the steps of: providingthe swimwear having an outer layer and an inner layer; and drawing anartwork on the outer layer of the swimwear to thereby affix the artworkon the outer layer of the swimwear, wherein the step of providingcomprises a step of arranging the outer layer and the inner layer of theswimwear in a predetermined orientation to enhance appearance of theartwork on the outer layer of the swimwear and wherein the outer layeris made of fabric adapted to display the artwork and wherein the innerlayer is in the form of a lining and is made of fabric which obscureslight from passing through the inner layer.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided swimwearcomprising: an outer layer made of fabric adapted to display an artworkdrawn thereon by a user; an inner layer made of light obscuring fabricsewn to the outer later, the inner layer and the outer layer beingconfigured so as to enhance appearance of the artwork on the outer layerby substantially preventing light from passing through the inner layer.

It is an advantage of the present invention that, the swimwear andmethod enables a user to customise the swimwear in accordance withhis/her own preferences. The swimwear and method enables a procedure todraw the artwork on the outer layer of the swimwear and ensures enhancedappearance of the artwork by arranging the outer layer and inner layerof the swimwear in a predetermined orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

At least one example of the invention will be described with referenceto the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a swimwear, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2A is a front view of a swimwear for a girl, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a back view of the swimwear for the girl, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a front view of a swimwear for a boy, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B is a back view of the swimwear for the boy, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C is a front view of the rash vest swimwear, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a method of customising a swimwear, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a method of customising a swimwear, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of customising a swimwear, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

It should be noted that the same numeral represents the same or similarelements throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

It is desirable here that there may be provided swimwear which can becustomised by a user to display any artwork as per the his/herpreference on an outer layer of the swimwear. Further, the disclosedmethod enables a user to customise the external design of the swimwear.For achieving such an objective the swimwear has an outer layer which ismade of fabric adapted to display the artwork and an inner layer whichis made of fabric which obscure light from passing through the innerlayer. Further, the outer layer and inner layer are oriented in a mannerto enhance appearance of the artwork on the outer layer. Also, thepresent invention facilitates the user to draw the artwork using aparticular marker which is made of non-toxic material. Also, the markeris made of a material which ensures permanency of the drawing on theouter layer of the swimwear.

In this regard the invention below has been discussed with the help offigures for clarity. However, a skilled addressee would appreciate thatthe invention is not limited to particular types of implementations thathave been discussed below.

FIG. 1 illustrates swimwear 100, in accordance with an embodiment of thepresent invention. The swimwear 100 comprises of an outer layer 102 andan inner layer 104.

The outer layer 102 is made of fabric adapted to display an artwork 106.Preferably, the outer layer is of white colour. In another embodimentthe outer layer includes one or more of black, blue, purple, orange,brown, pink, yellow, green or red colours or any suitable colour/s asdefined by a colour matching system such as the Pantone Matching System(PMS) or the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) 4-colour system orprocess. However, it is pertinent to mention that the outer layer 102can be of any material which facilitates display of the artwork 106 andof the colour which enhances display of the artwork 106 on the outerlayer 102. The outer layer 102 is preferably water repellent orhydrophobic such that it repels water on contact.

The inner layer 104 is made of fabric which obscure light from passingthrough the inner layer 106. Further, the inner layer 104 is in the formof a lining and is of black colour. However, it is pertinent to mentionthat the inner layer 104 can be of any material which assist in blockinglight from 1-100% and facilitating improved appearance of the artwork106 on the outer layer 102. Further, the inner layer 104 can be of anycolour which helps in desired appearance of the artwork 106 on the outerlayer 102. The inner layer 104 is in the preferred at least slightly,somewhat or mostly water repellent. In another embodiment the innerlayer includes one or more of black, blue, purple, orange, brown, pink,yellow, green or red colours or any suitable colour/s as defined by acolour matching system such as the Pantone Matching System (PMS) or theCMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) 4-colour system or process.

The outer layer 102 and the inner layer 104 are stitched together toform the swimwear 100. However, the outer layer 102 and inner layer 104may be attached together by any industrial means.

Further, the outer layer 102 and the inner layer 104 are oriented in amanner to enhance appearance of the artwork 106 on the outer layer 102.The orientation of the outer layer 102 and inner layer 104 effects thestructural factors of swimwear 100, absorption properties of the energyby the swimwear 100 etc. Further, the predetermined orientation of theouter layer 102 and inner layer 104 can be achieved by different weavingstructures and studying yarn-yarn and yarn-projectile frictionproperties of the fabric.

As shown in FIG. 1, the artwork 106 is drawn by a user 108 by using amarker 110. The artwork 106 may be any artistic work or character oranything which the user 108 wishes to display on the outer layer 102 ofthe swimwear 100. Further, the user 108 may draw the artwork 106 onfront side of the outer layer 102 or back side of the outer layer 102 oron both side of the outer layer 102.

The marker 110 is made of non-toxic material which ensures permanency ofthe artwork on the outer layer 102 of the swimwear 100. The marker 110is typically a fabric marker pen which comprises of writing material(ink) in the form of a liquid and having a mass of 6.2 grams. Ideally,the marker 110 may be suitable for use by the user 108 having age of 3years or above. Further, the marker 108 should conform to healthrequirements and displays such a statement on the body of the marker 110clearly visible to the user 108. Also, the marker 110 must not pose anysignificant chronic adverse health effects to user 108 under normal useor reasonable foreseeable misuse. The marker 110 can be provided in anumber of colours such as red, white, orange, yellow, green, brown, blueor any other suitable colour that would be visible on an anyappropriately coloured outer layer 102. It would be understood that anysuitable ink colour may be used so long as the characteristics of theink are suitable for drawing on the outer layer 102.

The marker 110 may be a porous-tip ink-marking device of suchconstruction that the ink is held within the marker 110 by an absorbentmaterial and that the marker 110 is resistant to breakage, such that inkwill only emerge from the porous writing tip.

Table 1 below provides information about exemplary ingredients of thematerial of the marker 110:

TABLE 1 Content of Product Ingredient Name (% w/w) Pure Water 58.6 Tween20 0.70 Kojic Acid 0.70 Glycerol 30.00 May contain the followingcolorants: Black C.I. Pigment Black 5 10.00 Red C.I. Pigment Black 52.00 Red 18 8.00 Blue Blue 9 4.00 Red 52 4.00 Yellow 23 2.00 YellowYellow 23 10.00 Green Blue 9 6.00 Yellow 23 4.00 Pink Pure Water 65.60Red 52 3.00

Table 2 below provides information about exemplary safety testing reportfor marker 110:

TABLE 2 * Migration of Certain Element: Analysis was performed byInductively Coupled Argon Plasma - Atomic Emission Spectrometer.Method_((refer to)) Element 1 1 MDL Limit Soluble Lead (Pb) ND 5 90Soluble Antimony (Sb) ND 5 60 Soluble Arsenic (As) ND 2.5 25 SolubleBarium (Ba) (1) ND 10 1000 Soluble Cadmium (Cd) ND 5 75 Soluble Chromium(Cr) ND 5 60 Soluble Mercury (Hg) ND 6 60 Soluble Selenium (Se) ND 10500 Test Part Description: 1. Red liquid Note: 1. mg/kg = ppm 2. ND =Not detected 3. MDL = Method Detection Limit * Migration of certainelements requirements of the European Standard, “Safety of toys”:Pigmented water-based fabric inks. Element Sample mg/kg Arsenic BariumCadmium Chromium Mercury Lead Antimony Selenium A: Composite LT 15 5 LT3 LT 3 LT 13 LT 8 LT 8 LT 13 of 70-44-B Red, 70-44-C Blue, 70-44-DGreen, 70-44-E Yellow, 70-44-F Orange, 70-44-H Purple paints mg/kg =milligrams per kilogram (ppm = parts per million) LT = Less Than

FIG. 2A is a front view 200 of swimwear 202 for a girl, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.2A, the user 108 has drawn an umbrella and a beach chair as an artwork208 on the outer layer 204 of the swimwear 202. Further, the inner layer206 of the swimwear 202 is visible in the front view 200 of the swimwear202.

FIG. 2B is a back view 200′ of the swimwear 202 for the girl, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 2B, the user 108 has not drawn any artwork on the outerlayer 204 of the swimwear 202. Further, the inner layer 206 of theswimwear 202 is visible in the back view 200′ of the swimwear 202.However, the user 108 may draw the artwork 208 on the back side of theswimwear 202.

FIG. 3A is a front view 300 of swimwear 302 for a boy, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.3A, the user 108 has not drawn any artwork on the outer layer 304 of theswimwear 302. Further, the inner layer 306 of the swimwear 302 isvisible in the front view 300 of the swimwear 302.

FIG. 3B is a back view 300′ of the swimwear 302 for the boy, inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Asshown in FIG. 3B, the user 108 has drawn a shark as an artwork 308 onthe outer layer 304 of the swimwear 302. However, the user 108 may drawthe artwork 308 on the front side of the swimwear 302.

FIG. 3C is a front view of the rash vest swimwear, in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3C, therash vest swimwear 350 has a front side 354 and a couple of sleeves 352adapted to cover the upper body and prevent rashes. The user 108 hasdrawn a boy standing with his surf board on a beach as an artwork 356 onthe outer layer 354 of the swimwear 350. However, the user 108 may drawthe artwork 308 on the back side (not shown) of the swimwear 350 aswell.

FIG. 5 is a front view of swimming shorts swimwear, in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5,the swimming shorts 500 have a front side 510. The user 108 has drawn afish 511 and an octopus 512 as artwork on the outer layer 515 of theswimming shorts 500.

FIG. 6 is a back side view of swimming shorts swimwear, in accordancewith an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG.6, the swimming shorts 600 have a back side 610. The user 108 has drawna fish 611 and a sea horse 612 as artwork on the outer layer 615 of theswimming shorts 615.

FIG. 4 illustrates a method 400 of customising swimwear 100, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The methodstarts at step 410 when a swimwear 100 having an outer layer 102 and aninner layer 104 is provided.

The outer layer 102 of the swimwear 100 is made of fabric adapted todisplay an artwork 106. Preferably, the outer layer is of white colour.However, it is pertinent to mention that the outer layer 102 can be ofany material which facilitates display of the artwork 106 and of thecolour which enhances display of the artwork 106 on the outer layer 102.

The inner layer 104 is made of fabric which obscure light from passingthrough the inner layer 104. Further, the inner layer 104 is in the formof a lining and is of black colour. However, it is pertinent to mentionthat the inner layer 104 can be of any material which assist in blockinglight from 1-100% and facilitating improved appearance of the artwork106 on the outer layer 102. Further, the inner layer 104 can be of anycolour which helps in desired appearance of the artwork 106 on the outerlayer 102.

The outer layer 102 and the inner layer 104 are stitched together toform the swimwear 100. However, the outer layer 102 and inner layer 104may be attached to together by any industrial means.

The step 410 further comprising a step of arranging the outer layer 102and the inner layer 104 in a predetermined orientation in a manner toenhance appearance of the artwork 106 on the outer layer 102. Theorientation of the outer layer 102 and inner layer 104 effects thestructural factors of swimwear 100, absorption properties of the energyby the swimwear 100. Further, the predetermined orientation of the outerlayer 102 and inner layer 104 can be achieved by different weavingstructures and studying yarn-yarn and yarn-projectile frictionproperties of the fabric.

Thereafter at step 420 the artwork 106 is drawn on the outer layer 102of the swimwear 100 by a user 108. The step 420 comprising a step ofproviding a marker 110 to the user 108 enabling the user 108 to draw theartwork 106 on the outer layer 102 of the swimwear 100. Preferably, themarker 110 is made of, but not limited to, non-toxic material and theartwork 106 is, but not limited to, an image, a character.

In a less preferred embodiment, depending on the markers chosen, the inkmay be required to be heated to ensure it does not run or smudge. It ispreferred that appropriate drying markers are chosen to prevent the needto heat, however, this may be required in some embodiments according toink availability and quality. At the step 430, heating of the outerlayer 102 is carried out in order to dry and affix the artwork 106 drawnby the user 108 on to the outer layer 102 of the swimwear 100. The step430 comprising a step of ironing the outer layer 102 of the swimwear 100to dry and affix the artwork 106 on the outer layer 102 of the swimwear100. Further, the ironing is done on the inner side (not shown) of theouter layer 102 in order prevent any damage to the artwork 106. It ispertinent to mention that the heating of the outer layer 102 may beperformed by any other means. In some embodiments, depending on thecomposition of the markers, heating may not be required.

In the preferred embodiment it would be understood that the outer layerand inner layer are oriented in a manner to enhance appearance of theartwork on the outer layer in the manner described above. The image onthe outer layer is enhanced by presence of the inner layer which acts asa backing so as to accentuate or make the image drawn on the outer layerbe displayed more clearly and/or stand out more and/or become morevibrant and/or enhanced in another manner according to the particularcolours chosen for each the inner and outer layers. Depending on thecolours chosen for each layer this could be by way of the inner layerobscuring or blocking light in the case of a black inner layer or byaccentuating the image in another manner by choosing inner layerscolours that act as backings to the image drawn on the outer layer.

In another preferred embodiment the ink in the markers comprises awashable marker ink composition such as that described in U.S. Pat. No.7,455,725B2.

In another preferred embodiment the ink in the markers is water solublesuch that the image drawn on the outer layer can be removed by way ofwashing the swimwear in water and agitating the image to remove the ink.In this manner the user can remove the image previously drawn on theswimwear and choose to draw a new image on the swimwear when desired.

In another preferred embodiment the invention provides swimwearcomprising an outer layer made of fabric adapted to display an artworkdrawn thereon by a user and an inner layer made of light obscuringfabric sewn to the outer later, the inner layer and the outer layerbeing configured so as to enhance appearance of the artwork on the outerlayer by substantially preventing light from passing through the innerlayer. Preferably the outer layer is substantially white or anotherlight colour such as cream which is adapted to display an image drawnthereon by the user. Preferably the inner layer is substantially blackor another dark colour such as navy which is adapted to obscure light.

It should be understood that the techniques of the present disclosuremight be implemented using a variety of technologies. For example, thedrawing of the artwork described herein may be carried out by aparticular machine using the material of the marker. The predeterminedorientation of the outer layer and the inner layer of the swimwear maybe determined on the basis of the fabric type, use type, marker materialtype etc.

The claims defining the invention are as follows:
 1. An article ofclothing for use as swimwear comprising: an outer layer configured todisplay an artwork; an inner layer configured to obscure light, whereinthe outer layer and inner layer are oriented in a manner to enhanceappearance of the artwork on the outer layer and wherein the outer layeris made of fabric adapted to display the artwork wherein the artwork isdrawn on the outer layer by a user.
 2. The swimwear as claimed in claim1 wherein the outer layer is of white colour.
 3. The swimwear as claimedin claim 2, wherein the inner layer is in the form of a lining made offabric which obscures light from passing through the inner layer andwherein the inner later is of black colour.
 4. The swimwear as claimedin claim 1, wherein the ink used to draw the artwork is water soluble.5. The swimwear as claimed in claim 4 wherein the artwork can be removedby agitating the ink while immersed in water.
 6. The swimwear as claimedin claim 1 wherein the ink used to draw the artwork is permanent ink. 7.A method of customising an article of clothing for use as swimwear, themethod comprising the steps of: providing the swimwear having an outerlayer and an inner layer; and drawing an artwork on the outer layer ofthe swimwear to thereby affix the artwork on the outer layer of theswimwear, wherein the step of providing comprises a step of arrangingthe outer layer and the inner layer of the swimwear in a predeterminedorientation to enhance appearance of the artwork on the outer layer ofthe swimwear and wherein the outer layer is made of fabric adapted todisplay the artwork and wherein the inner layer is in the form of alining and is made of fabric which obscures light from passing throughthe inner layer.
 8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the innerlanner is of black colour and the outer layer is of white colour.
 9. Anarticle of clothing comprising: an outer layer made of fabric adapted todisplay an artwork drawn thereon by a user; an inner layer made of lightobscuring fabric sewn to the outer later, the inner layer and the outerlayer being configured so as to enhance appearance of the artwork on theouter layer by substantially preventing light from passing through theinner layer.
 10. Swimwear according to claim 9 wherein the outer layerfabric is substantially white.
 11. Swimwear according to claim 9 whereinthe inner layer fabric is substantially black.